Picture of Rik Mayall posted by his daughter Bonnie Jezebel Mayall on social media

The devastated family of Rik Mayall paid tribute to him as friends described how he appeared happy and healthy shortly before his death.

His daughter, Bonnie, 19, posted a picture of the comedian pulling a face on Facebook and wrote: ‘My dad was loved not only by my family, but by many others.

‘We will never forget him and neither will the world. R.I.P to the man, the myth, the legend – my wonderful, generous, foul-mouthed and hysterical father. My idol now and forever.’

Her sister, Rosie, and their mother, Barbara Robbin, also posted photos of Mayall – who died on Monday aged 56 – online.

Rik Mayall with his wife Barbara (Picture: File)

Mayall’s Comic Strip Presents colleague Peter Richardson said his son saw the actor about half an hour before his death at his home in Barnes, south-west London.

‘He was happily chatting away and it was very quick and we still don’t quite know what happened but it was a seizure of some sort,’ said director Mr Richardson.

It is not yet known what killed Bottom and The Young Ones star Mayall, who survived a quad bike accident in 1998.

Mr Richardson said: ‘At the time I don’t think people thought he would survive that but he lived for another 16 years and it was just shocking that he went – he was so happy and seemed very healthy when he did go.’

He added: ‘He always wanted to be a rebel but in fact was a lovely family man who did the washing-up and was not as selfish and vain as he liked to make out really.’